Argentina wants renewable energies and shale gas

After having been a hydrocarbon exporting country, Argentina became in 2008 a hydrocarbon importing country. In this situation, different possibilities are explored by authorities as described in this article. With the support of investments made by major oil companies, very important resources of shale gas could be exploited, and the site of Vaca Muerta is already being exploited. On another hand, Argentina wants to develop renewable energies which now only represent a very small share of national electric power production. Objectives of 8 per cent by 2018 and 20 per cent by 2025 have been defined, mainly based on solar and wind energy (Argentina possesses the largest solar plant in Latin America). Biogas, biomass and small hydroelectricity are also submitted to bidding processes. Finally, the author notices that the issue of energy efficiency is emerging in Argentina